Saanich is considering a temporary summer project that would allow drinking in some public parks in an effort to create more spaces for residents to safely socialize.
Council will consider a motion Monday to allow residents to consume liquor from noon to 8 p.m. in 14 of the municipality’s 170 parks. If approved, the project will last until the end of September.
Bars and restaurants have reopened, but Mayor Fred Haynes said not everyone feels comfortable dining out. Creating outdoor spaces to legally consume alcohol will provide residents with places to meet friends and family while maintaining physical distancing, he said.
The project is also intended to support local businesses.
“They might want to pick up their takeout, go to a park and have a nice evening together,” Haynes said. “I think there’s a lot of positives about this. Saanich residents are responsible.”
Signs would be posted to inform residents of the hours during which they can legally consume alcohol and the boundaries of the area.
The 14 parks selected for the pilot project include Cedar Hill Park, Gorge Waterway Park, Lambrick Park and Braefoot Park.
A staff report heading to council Monday evening identified a few issues, including increased litter and the potential for conflicts and bad behaviour.
Saanich police do not support the idea, citing concerns about increased calls to police arising from conflicts and reduced compliance with physical distancing.
Police said in a letter to the municipality that they are also concerned the change could lead to an increase in impaired drivers if residents of other municipalities are drawn to Saanich’s parks.
Penticton and North Vancouver have both designated some public spaces for public drinking, but Saanich police said that doesn’t mean it will work in Saanich.
“Penticton and North Vancouver may feel that their additional risk can be mitigated by effective and proactive bylaw enforcement. This enforcement does not exist in Saanich, and capacity and resourcing will not allow the police to effectively mitigate the risks associated with allowing public drinking,” Insp. Todd Bryant wrote.
Before the meeting, Coun. Colin Plant said he was in favour of the proposed pilot project, because it’s temporary and can be reassessed after three months.
“I’m always interested in pilot projects, because it gives council the opportunity to reflect on the value of what’s being done. So, I am open to it,” he said. “But I also see it as a bit of a social experiment: Can people drink responsibly in a park?”
Plant said the concerns of police are weighing on his mind, but he thinks a three-month trial run would allow the municipality to determine if there are problems.
Coun. Zac de Vries called the project is a “measured and balanced” response to COVID-19. In response to police concerns, he said there are already people who ignore laws and create conflicts.
“This is enabling law-abiding, responsible adults to enjoy a sunny afternoon,” he said.
Letters from four residents are included in Monday’s agenda, with all four asking council to vote against allowing public drinking.
Residents argued it would lead to broken glass, irresponsible behaviour, and drunk driving, and could take business away from struggling restaurants and bars.
“The parks should be enjoyed by everyone, including people who don’t want to be around alcohol, myself included,” one resident wrote.
Susan Haddon, president of the Quadra/Cedar Hill Community Association, said she is concerned about the proposal and doesn’t think the idea is widely supported by the community. Playfair Park and Cedar Hill Park, two of the parks proposed by Saanich staff, are in the neighbourhood covered by the community association.
“My sense is that our parks are for families and for everybody to enjoy, and it seems usually drinking and children or young families don’t go together,” she said.
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